From a Latvian politician: a strict response to Lithuania: I haven’t heard such stupidity for a long time

Member of the Seimas Audronius Ažubalis on the show. Delphi day He says that the independence of the Baltic states is currently being discussed, so it is not too late to work on this issue.

“It just came to our attention then. Not only for Lithuania, but also for all the Baltic states: Russia will manage to keep the eastern edge of the Baltic Sea in its sphere of influence, because until now the last umbilical cord has remained: electricity. Therefore, when we talk about the independence of the Baltic States, the last step remains the synchronization of the Baltic States with the networks of continental Europe, the exit from the Russian system.

A lot of money is thrown here. It is in this context that everything that is happening must be seen: it is not the economic benefits that are important for Russia, but the geopolitical ones. If we understand interest, everything becomes very clear. It is not too late to work, and that position of the Minister is a capitular position ”, says a member of Seimas.

Ražukas: I just don’t understand

Latvian politician Romualdas Ražukas said he deeply regretted Lithuania’s interpretation that Latvia was betraying other neighbors.

“I really survive and regret that rhetoric. Listen, even now you have spoken so much as to say that the Latvian government is manipulating the interests of Russia; I haven’t heard such stupidity for a long time. Understand, if you say the wrong word, it will be the same and you will come back. There are so many good achievements in the cooperation of our countries, just because of the coordination of the pandemic, and now in such a pre-electoral situation, everything must be ruined. I just don’t understand, “says R. Ražukas on the show.

When asked why Latvians want to exchange Astrava energy with Russia, the interlocutor assured that everything is supposedly very simple.

“It is very simple. 12-13 percent. Latvia needs to buy electricity, not produce it. So far, the three countries have made the decision that the connection will be made through Lithuania from Belarus. Lithuania, without consulting Latvians and Estonians at all, made the decision not to buy. That is why such a difficult reaction from our ministers, on the administration side. Lithuania, as always, did it by itself, and then invited other states to join, this is very typical. I have many years of experience I worked in the Ministry of Defense, the Baltic Assembly. After all, you must think and consult with your neighbors. It is much easier to come to terms with the Estonians, because they don’t do that, “said R. Ražukas.

He believes that Lithuania will have to choose

A. Azubalis reacted to such words from a politician and assured that such speeches did not appear in public due to the electoral period, but because this subject, in the words of the interlocutor, is a matter of national security.

“I will answer my colleague Ražukas first, because Lithuania alone has not really decided anything. In 2018, the three countries agreed on a pricing methodology and zero return on trade flows from Belarus to the Baltic electricity market: there was agreement. Latvians they decided to leave and said there was a new methodology here.

So who built what before the fact? And when it comes to elections, if the timing coincides with what’s happening, with Minister Vaičiūnas’ attempts to sign a new statement enshrining something so bad, Latvia’s right to buy electricity from Belarus, this is not an election. This is a matter of state national security, “A. Azubalis spoke on the show.

The interlocutor also says that in the future Lithuania will have to decide and make a very important decision.

“If Latvia continues to assume that position, Lithuania will have to choose whether it will go to Europe with Poland and Latvia will go with another neighbor, because synchronization is not possible without Poland, and what is the position of Poland, we know.” And to say that we are going to trade is short-sighted, “added A. Azubalis.

In the program, Latvian politicians reiterated that they did not understand those languages ​​and assured that the time would come when the pre-electoral period would pass.

“You put me in a very embarrassing position, openly insulting my state in the air. This is crazy. Latvian and Lithuanian patriots refuse to understand this. In Latvia, everything is clear, electricity prices must rise, nobody will buy electricity to Belarus. Go, I could buy from Russia. Or if we buy from the Scandinavians, Finland has a connection to Russia. This means that from there, Belarusian electricity can reach us. I think it will be the fall, elections and experts will be held and professionals will agree, “says the politician.

When asked if such statements would not harm the relationship between the parties, the interlocutor considered that it could harm.

“It just caught our eye then. People no longer understand those details of who said what. (…) There are always consequences.”